Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival set for Cathedral Square

Milwaukee's brewing history gets a modern touch with the Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival on Saturday at Cathedral Square Park. It's a chance to taste and learn about more than 80 craft beers from the city as well as guest beers from around the country.

But first, a definition for firkin. It's an Old English unit of volume. Soap, butter, wine and, of course, beer used to be sold by the firkin, which is equal to a quarter of a barrel - not that you need to know that to attend.

The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and includes beer tastings; a chance to sample cask conditioned ales; a tour of collectible breweriana (materials that contain a brewery or brand name); and beer-inspired arts, crafts and jewelry.

The Squeezettes will crank out tunes from 3 to 4:45 and Reverend Raven & the Chain Smoking Altar Boys play from 5 to 8 p.m.

VIP tickets are $65 and allow patrons into the festival an hour before the general public, along with a few other extras. General admission tickets are $40. See www.easttown.com for more information or to purchase tickets.